Electronic random message storage and generation novelty device

ABSTRACT

This invention involves an electronic storage device that, when prompted, randomly displays electronically stored messages on a LED type screen. The product is encased in a plastic housing of unique shape, for instance a heart shape. This device has a switch to turn it on, which has three positions. The first is the off position. The second makes a light in the device flash, so as to notify a person that the device is turned on. The third position causes the random message is displayed. The combination of these aspects is what is being claimed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, US PATENT DOCUMENTS

5209692 May 1993 Coleman 5324527 June 1994 Coleman 5471373 November 1995Coleman 5690535 November 1997 Fishman 5733033 March 1998 Fishman 6077144June 2000 Fishman 5791966 August 1998 Capps 2746756 May 1956 ″ 2794298June 1957 ″ 3278182 October 1966 ″ 4470044 September 1984 ″ 4563160April 1986 ″ 4925424 May 1990 ″ 5036442 July 1991 ″ 5041947 August 1991″ 5045016 September 1991 ″ 5145444 September 1992 ″ 5190491 September1993 ″ 5356328 October 1994 ″ 5406300 April 1995 ″

Fishman covers candy holding devices that combine the act of presentingcandy with electronic displays to enhance the presentation of candyproducts. Capps et.al. work on rotating candy with electronic displays,again to increase the value or experience of candy. U.S. Pat. No.2,746,756 through U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,300 are yo-yo products withdisplays on them that are enacted by the motion of the yo-yo. In allthese cases the combination of a consumable product with the electronicsis different than our combination of electronics and a novelty productas described below.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

There is not or will not be any federal finding of the work described inthis patent.

-   US patent class: 446/236

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the electronic novelty market. Thisdevice is generally an electronic storage device that, when turned on,extracts randomly stored information from a storage chip and displays iton a LED or electronic screen. The electronics are embodied in ahousing, generally made of plastic formed into a unique shape relatingto the design and function of the product. The invention is thecombination of several technologies; the storage of electronicinformation, the random nature of the retrieval, and the unique shape ofthe device all combined into one product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are several unique aspects of this invention that are not found inthe market today. Most products that serve this function are in the formof printed cards that are chosen based on a game board type activity.So, the aspects of this invention are:

First, the electronic storage of the information on a memory chip.Second is the program used to retrieve the information off the storagechip and display it on the electronic display. Third is the randomnessof the retrieval achieved by timers in the program. Fourth is the sizeof the device to fit in the palm of your hand. Sixth is theencompassment of the electronics into a unique shape to match the themeof the product. Seventh is the multi-function switch which allows thedevice to alert the user-to-be by flashing or other alert means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure One is an overall view of the initial product

Figure two is the view of the rear of the circuit board.

Figure three is the view of the front of the circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings mentioned above, figure one shows the overallembodiment (2) of the invention. In this version the molded housing isin the shape of a heart made of two pieces, 3A and 3B, the front andback respectively. The front has a rectangular hole to allow viewing ofthe electronic display. Molded into the top of the housing are slotsthat allow a lanyard (1) to be threaded through to allow the device tobe worn around the neck or hung for display.

Figure two shows the rear of the circuit board assembly. In addition tothe basic electronics such as resistors and capacitors to make thecircuit function, the board consists of the driver chip (5) that holdsthe program that operates the device and enables the operation torandomly select stored messages, to display them in a scrolling fashion,to flash the alert light and generally provide the operating system forthe device. The message chip (6) stores the messages or information thatis to be displayed. Switch (7) is a three position switch that has anoff position, a flashing light position and a display message position.Finally, it shows mounting holes (8) that will allow for an additionalswitch that will add the capability to switch between languages on thememory chip by flipping it to a second or third position.

Figure three shows the electronic display (9) that displays the messagesor information when the device is turned to position three on the switch(7). The circuit board has mounting holes that mate to mounting pins onthe molded housing for easy assembly. The light (11) flashes when theswitch (7) is turned to the middle position.

In view of the above, it should be noted that various changes can bemade which will vary but not change the intent of the invention, so thedrawings and description should not be seen as limiting the scope of theinvention.

1. An electronic novelty device that electronically stores messages thatwhen prompted by turning on a switch will randomly display the storedmessages on an electronic display. The user will know the device isready for use by a flashing light that, in this version, symbolizes abeating heart. The device is encased in molded plastic housing that whenassembled entraps and retains the electronic circuitry to hold it intoposition so that the display can be viewed through a window in thehousing. The device can be hung or worn by a lanyard that is threadthrough slots molded into the housing.
 2. A device as described in claim1 where the shape is other than that of a heart, such as a cross,football, or other shape molded out of plastic.
 3. A device as describedin claim 1 where the housing is made of another material such as wood orcarbon fiber.
 4. A device as described in claim 1 where the color isother than red, for instance clear, blue, green or other thematic color.5. A device as described in claim 1 where the alert method is other thana light, or a combination of a light and other means such as vibratingdevice, buzzing sound, music or other such method.
 6. A device asdescribed in claim 1 where the hanging device is other than that of alanyard, for instance a hook or other means.
 7. A device as described inclaim 1 where the messages in the storage device can be displayed inother languages easily by switching a switch inside the device or othersimilar means.
 8. A device as described in claim 1 where the messageswhen displayed have the ability to add other additional information bysome means, such as throwing a switch to another position or by holdinga button down.
 9. A device as described in claim 1 where the message maybe a question, to which the answer is revealed by some switching meansor built in delay.
 10. A device as described in claim 1 where theswitching device is a push button switch or other available device tochange the mode of the device.
 11. A device as described in claim 1where the purpose is a game instead of displaying random information,such as charades or other such game.
 12. A device described in claim 1where the message groups are a logical set of phrases, such as a groupof Bible verses and themes, or activities for couples to do together, orgroup discussion ideas, or other such groupings.